Decisions

Complaint
The complaint is that in the morning news aired by the channel NEWS 24, the telecasts contains a programme named Kalchakra which spreads superstition; that the programme predicts the fate of the viewers according to their zodiac signs and it also suggests what people should do or should not do, what to eat and what not to eat. The complainant contends that any programme which encourages and foster superstitions and misleads people should not be aired.
Response from Broadcaster:
The broadcaster responded to the complainant and stated that the alleged programme "Kaalchakra" is broadcast on channel “News24” at 8.55 am every day; that “Jyotisha” is one of the Vedanga - the six auxiliary disciplines used to support Vedic rituals, and the programme is an astrology show based on Indian Vedic science; that it is an expert-based show where the channel invites well-known experts in astrology to give their opinion and views with respect to the astrological problems of an individual and to provide practical solution for the same as per the age-old study of the Indian astrology. The broadcaster asserted that the programme “Kaalchakra” is not about promoting, supporting or making anyone believe in any kind of superstition, but endeavors to show the science and art of living, worshiping which our sages believed and followed since ancient times. It was stated that the aim of the aforesaid programme is to focus on some topics and subjects from our daily routine and provide guidance to adopt those habits that can keep us lead a positive and healthy life and it is for the viewers to or not to act on the advice of the expert as given in the aforesaid programme. It was further submitted that the channel runs a disclaimer in the aforesaid programme that the channel do not compel anyone to watch the show or follow whatever is being said by the expert.

Decisions

30.10.2018 NBSA considered the complaint, response and also viewed the contents of the alleged broadcaster. NBSA noted that such reportage may not be “newsworthy” and broadcasters should endeavor to voluntarily improve the broadcasting standards by desisting from airing programmes which may result in increase of superstition or anti-social behavior. NBSA did not propose to interfere with the editorial freedom and decided to close the matter with the said observations and inform the MoI&B and broadcaster accordingly.

S.NO 2.

ChannelABP News

ComplainantMr. Banwari Gupta [MoI&B]

Date of Broadcast26.5.2018

Complaint

The complainant stated that he saw the report of Shri Prasoon Vajpayee on the ABP News which was, according to his information, erroneous and was intended to spread lies against the government.
Broadcaster responded by stating that the complaint is vague and does not state which part of the news story was incorrect or untrue; and that in the absence of any specific information of what constituted “fake” and “lies”, it has to be presumed that the complaint was purely based on the personal view of the complainant which cannot be a ground for complaint. The broadcaster asserted that the story was neither fake nor was it untrue and it was carried after observing due diligence.

Decisions

30.10.2018 NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and noted that the content of a 'report' or 'story' is an editorial discretion and an individual's view or perception of an issue cannot be a ground to take action against a channel, in the absence of violation of the Guidelines. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform MoI&B accordingly.

S.NO 3.

ChannelNDTV 24x7

ComplainantMr. Ravie Lalpurria [MoI&B]

Date of Broadcast

Complaint

The petition stated that Sonia Singh, anchor of NDTV24X7, who regularly presents political debate on the channel, is the wife of Mr. R P N Singh, a senior Congress member of Parliament; and therefore, the channel should put a disclaimer in the programmes anchored or presented by her that she is the wife of a senior congress leader.

Decisions

30.10.2018 NBSA found no violation of the Regulations or Guidelines and there is no requirement either in law or in the Regulations requiring such a disclosure/ disclaimer. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the MoI&B accordingly.

S.NO 4.

ChannelVarious Channels

ComplainantMr. NP Singh [MoI&B]

Date of Broadcast

Complaint

The petition forwarded by the MOI&B stated that the media in India has been publishing/broadcasting complete information of the Army personnel battling the terrorists or their activities to foil infiltration in newspapers or on news channels; and that this may put at risk the security of the army personnel, as the terrorists can harm them or their family members by identifying them.

Decisions

30.10.2018 NBSA noted that it could not take cognizance as the complaint was bereft of any details of the broadcasts and the broadcasters. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the MoI&B accordingly.

S.NO 5.

ChannelAaj Tak

ComplainantMr. Devender Singh [MoI&B]

Date of Broadcast9 pm

Complaint

The complaint is that on Aaj Tak news channel, India's map is shown in the weather report at 9 pm; that in the said report, a vehicle is shown moving across various states of India and the weather report of that that state is informed to the viewers. It was pointed out that in the said weather report, the channel does not show the North Eastern States (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram), which gives a feeling that these States are not part of India.
Broadcaster stated that the complaint pertains to December 2017; that as per the policy guidelines for Up linking & Downlinking guidelines of television channels from India of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the channel is required to keep a record of the content only for 90 days; and that the content of the news broadcast complained of is not available.

Decisions

30.10.2018 NBSA found no violation of the Regulations or Guidelines of NBSA. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B broadcaster accordingly.

S.NO 6.

ChannelRepublic TV

ComplainantMr. Kannan Nattanmai S A [MoI&B]

Date of Broadcast

Complaint

The complainant stated that Republic TV does not publish or display date line either at the top or bottom or anywhere on the screen to display date of broadcasting on their screen and take action against those channels who do not abide by such instructions.
Broadcaster stated that displaying the date and time is not mandatory and has not been prescribed by the MIB, TRAI or the NBSA. It also stated that it has been displaying the time during the broadcasts voluntarily.

Decisions

30.10.2018 NBSA found no violation of the Regulations or Guidelines of NBSA. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

S.NO 7.

ChannelABP News

ComplainantMr. Raju Mistry [MoI&B]

Date of Broadcast6.6.2018

Complaint

Complainant alleged that in a news programme on ABP News channel, it was stated that former President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee will be attending a RSS function, on an invitation from RSS; and that the former President accepted the invitation as BJP was becoming stronger in Bengal and as he wanted the BJP to give an election ticket his daughter Ms Sharmistha Mukherjee. The complainant desired to know the source of the news telecast.
The broadcaster responded to the complainant that the news which was telecast was on account of the information received from their trusted/reliable sources; that the channel tried to speak to the concerned, but they refused to give their version; and that the channel later on aired the denial.

Decisions

30.10.2018 NBSA decided to close the complaint as the broadcaster had taken action of correcting the news report and inform MOI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

S.NO 8.

ChannelABP News

ComplainantMr. Ajay [MoI&B]

Date of BroadcastMorning Programme

Complaint

The complaint is that ABP News shows a morning programme known as ‘Guruji’, which instils nothing but blind faith and superstitions in the viewers; and that in this programme, people’s fate is predicted and they are advised to do certain things or to avoid certain things on a particular day in accordance with their zodiac signs.
Broadcaster stated that the complaint is a general point-of-view and expression of desire through a personal choice, taste and preferences of an individual. The said program in question “Guruji" is a program: 1) that infuses Positive Energy; 2) offers Health Awareness & Consciousness; 3) offers Spiritual Wisdom; and 4) updates Astrological Facts based on Hindu Lunar Calendar. It is stated that the Hindu Lunar calendar along with its movements and predictions as per Tithi and Nakshatras are matters of faith of millions of people; and that besides the platform of TV, such faith-related practices are derivatives of many other ways and platforms in our society, including newspapers and magazines.

Decisions

30.10.2018 NBSA considered the complaint, response and also viewed the contents of the alleged broadcast. NBSA noted that such reportage may not be “newsworthy” and broadcaster should endeavor to voluntarily improve the broadcasting standards by desisting from airing programmes which may result in increase of superstition or anti-social behavior. NBSA did not want to interfere with the editorial freedom and decided to close the matter with the said observations and inform the MOI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

S.NO 9.

ChannelZee Rajasthan

ComplainantMoI&B

Date of Broadcast22.1.2018

Complaint

Complaint:
The Report stated that the channel broadcast a special programme ‘Baba World” which clearly appeared to promote superstitions. The programme showed, in minute detail, the processes of voodoo black magic by the trantric (Aghori), such as recitation of mantras, the size of the doll, its impact etc. Though the channel had, at the beginning of the programme, issued a disclaimer stating that its object was not to promote superstitions, the channel’s anchor was shown confirming the effects of black magic process by the Aghori through a voodoo doll made in her name. The channel, at the end of the programme, showed the apparition of a person outside the window in an extremely mysterious manner and ended it by saying that “when the issue being discussed was how to wipe out the enemy of the country, at that point of time that apparition appeared to be emerging once again. It was the same apparition that was seen during the observance of some cremation rituals. Who was it? Why did it come close to the window? What was its intention? All these questions were submerged under a carpet of darkness. Not a single query got answered.” This gave an impression that the channel was trying to validate the impact of black magic and mislead the viewers, particularly those with distorted mentality by making them superstitious and attempt practicing black magic.
Response from broadcaster:
Broadcaster stated that Zee Rajasthan has not promoted any kind of superstition or blind belief by telecasting the program “Baba World” on 22.01.2018 at 9:30 PM; that the program in question was a report about a certain woman “Aghori” and her experiences with the Aghori sect; and that the program was special as it was about a woman aghori, whereas the aghori sect is dominated by males. According to broadcaster, the said woman aghori made many statements which were questionable, but since the program was about her and her unique religious practices, the channel decided to let viewers see the whole picture and come to their own conclusions; and that due to the graphic nature of the program, enough care was taken to include a suitable disclaimer and the program was telecast at 21:30 hrs (09:30 pm) which was towards the end of the night prime viewing hours. It was submitted that the program in question did not provide viewers with any solutions or remedies for their health problems or personal well-being in any manner, by resorting to black magic and there was not even a single instance during the entire news report that broadcaster has supported or promoted such acts.
The broadcaster aired a disclaimer as follows: “We advise faint-hearted viewers not to watch this episode of Baba World. Our aim and object is not to promote superstition or blind belief but we believe in investigation of all such traditions / practices prevalent in society”.

Decisions

30.10.2018 NBSA considered the complaint response and also viewed the contents of the alleged broadcast. NBSA noted that such reportage often purports to even distort purely scientific phenomena on baseless and often factually incorrect material and information. Such reportage is not “newsworthy”. In addition, such reportage does harm and tends to create fear psychosis, among the uninformed viewers. Such reportage is usually to garner higher TRPs. Broadcasters should voluntarily improve the broadcasting standards by desisting from airing such reports.
NBSA decided to close the complaint with a warning to the broadcaster and that any future violations would be viewed seriously and action would be taken against the broadcaster and and inform the broadcaster and MOI&B accordingly.

S.NO 10.

ChannelNews18 Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand

ComplainantMoI&B

Date of Broadcast30.3.2018

Complaint

Complaint:
The news channel broadcasted a news report from Uttar Pradesh in which some miscreants tied a man to a tree and then thrashed him in a brutal manner. The report stated that the incident took place when the victim, identified as Shamsad, sought return of the money lent to Naseer, one of the miscreants. When he sought the repayment, Naseer and three of his friends tied him to a tree and then started beating him up mercilessly till he became unconscious. The channel has shown the related video repeatedly without blurring some of the visuals. The visuals could traumatize a viewer and the channel should have therefore avoided repeated showing of such violent visuals or should have blurred them appropriately.
Response from Broadcaster
Broadcaster stated that the said news along with the video was broadcast with the sole objective of informing the public at large about the mistreatment meted out to a youth in Deoria; and that there was no intention whatsoever to sensationalize or glamorize the horrific incident and that its aim was to inform the public at large about the said incident so that police can could take action against the perpetrators.

Decisions

30.10.2018 NBSA considered the complaint, response and viewed the CD. NBSA decided that while it is the duty of the news channels to report news, which may be in public interest and the persons being reported upon may get justice from such media reports, it is equally important to present the news in a manner that the persons being reported upon must not be subjected to unnecessary media glare. The gruesome acts were being repeatedly shown and for long duration, which was not warranted. NBSA was of the view that the broadcaster had violated the NBSA Specific Guideline 3.7 which states that “Violence must not be depicted solely for its own sake, or for its gratuitous exploitation or to pander to sadistic or other perverted tastes. Scenes with excessive violence or suffering such as close-up shots of persons being subject to brutality, torture or being killed and visual depiction of such matter should be avoided”. NBSA noted that the broadcaster should avoid airing gory visuals continuously while reporting such incidents.
NBSA decided to close the complaints with a warning to the broadcaster and that any future violations would be viewed seriously and action would be taken against the broadcaster and inform the broadcaster and MoI&B accordingly.